The funding is open to academic staff members (full-time, permanent, or fixed-term with full benefits) who intend to apply for an NRF rating for the first time, or for re-evaluation, within the next one to three years.
Eligibility
- NWU staff members (full-time, permanently appointed or temporarily appointed with full benefits) with the intention to participate in the NRF Evaluation and Rating programme, wishing to obtain/ maintain/improve their NRF Rating status.
- NWU Mid-career researchers meaning researchers who have already established a research record and will typically hold a Y-, P- or C- NRF rating status, wishing to enhance his/her researcher profile.
- Early-career researchers meaning researchers typically within five years after completion of a doctorate or who experienced an interruption in their research development, wishing to enhance his/her researcher to apply for NRF rating will also be considered.
- Priority will be given to individuals intending to apply for an NRF rating in the year following the funding year (i.e. 2027), and who have not received the award in the recent past.
Please note that the funds—typically used to support the appointment of replacement staff and/or to cover travel or other research-related costs—must be fully utilised within the funding year (2026). Any unspent funds will be written back, and all accounts will be closed at the end of the 2026 funding year.
Closing Date
Applications for the first round must be submitted by 27 February 2026. Thereafter, the call will remain open, subject to the availability of funds. Award letters will be issued to the priority group on a rolling basis as applications are received and screened. Applications from other cohorts will be considered from March onwards.
Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the applicable grant rules, guidelines, and procedures as stipulated on the cover page of the application form. Completed and signed application forms must be submitted to the Project Coordinator @Thando Zimba. Incomplete applications, or those without all relevant signatures, will not be considered.
Application Process:
- Pre-award: Distribution of Call, Application process, Screening of applications, Issuing of Award letters based on budget items and estimated amounts
- Post-award: Opening of the 1DC account (until end of the funding year) | Transfer of funds | Claim process | Monitoring of spendings, refunding of any unspent funds & closing of accounts | Feedback reports | Audit process | Reporting to DHET.
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Training |
Date |
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UCDG 1DA, 1DC Account training 1 |
TBC-March |
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UCDG 1DA, 1DC Account training 2 |
TBC-August |
* Contact Person: Ms Thando Zimba (@Thando Zimba or 016 910 3283)